Unlicensed driver gets 10 years in fatal August crash

Sentence includes fine and lifetime suspension

3/8/2014

BY MARK REITER BLADE STAFF WRITER

David A. Robinson had alcohol and marijuana in his body when he collided with a motorcyclist.

Describing as “egregious” David A. Robinson’s decision to leave the scene of a traffic collision last summer that killed a motorcyclist, Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros sentenced Robinson on Friday to 10 years in prison.

Judge Mandros handed down the sentence, which included a $25,000 fine and a lifetime driver’s license suspension, after listening to an emotional statement from the victim’s wife.

“The loss you have suffered can never be filled. No sentence is going to be enough, no matter what the maximum sentence could be,” the judge said. “These are the most challenging type of cases that a judge has to deal with.”

On Aug. 21, hours after being released from the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, Robinson, 39, went left of center while driving southbound on Douglas Road and collided head-on with a northbound motorcycle driven by Jason Alexander, 32, at Ida Avenue.

Robinson of 5285 Dixon Ave., who was driving with a suspended license, fled on foot from the scene.

“You have ended a life, devastated dozens of individuals,” Judge Mandros said. “Perhaps the most egregious part of your conduct, in the overview, is the fact you left the scene.”

In court, Robinson apologized to the victim’s wife, Brandy Alexander, and her family.

“I am very sorry for what happened. It was a very tragic accident. I can’t bring them back,” he said.

Robinson was given the maximum of three years for failure to stop after an accident and seven years, one year shy of the maximum, for aggravated vehicular homicide. He pleaded no contest to the offenses Feb. 10.

Investigators said Robinson was traveling at 37 mph and Mr. Alexander was traveling at 75 mph, but the airbag control module from Robinson’s car indicated Robinson was traveling between 70 mph and almost 76 mph at the moment of impact.

Prosecutors said Robinson had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash and a blood-alcohol level of 0.064 — just under the legal limit of 0.08.

Mrs. Alexander said Mr. Alexander was a loving husband and father and his death has sent her into severe depression and she can no longer work.

“Jason was a very loved man by everyone he met,” she said, choking back tears. “There is a hole in my heart that will never be filled by any other man.”